Bonjour mes amis! May Day in France is a public holiday to campaign for and celebrate workers' rights. It is also an occasion to present lily-of-the-valley(les muguets) to loved ones. A few days before May 1st, you begin to see vendors popping up on every street corner selling lily of the valley. Although at all other times of the year, selling any kind of flowers or anything else on the street requires paying for a permit, May Day is exempted from this tax. We met the most delightful young boys who were selling their muguets at their personal stand in Chambéry. Lily of the valley is referred to as a "porte-bonheur"--literally, "bringer of happiness" or perhaps what we would call a "good luck charm." The history of La Fête du Travail is that King Charles IX of France was presented with the lily of the valley flowers on May 1, 1561. He liked the gift and decided to present lily of the valley flowers to the ladies of his court each year on May 1. Around 1900, men started to present a bouquet of lily of the valley flowers to women to express their affection. The 8-hour work day was officially introduced in France on April 23, 1919, and May 1 became a public holiday. May 1 was not observed during World War II. The May 1 holiday was reinstated in 1947 and became known as La Fête du Travail on April 29, 1948. Since then, it has been an occasion to campaign for and celebrate workers' rights. The day is also known as Labor Day in other parts of the world.
Mme. Wallace
No comments:
Post a Comment